If you are like most people, when you first started vaping, you would start off with maybe some of those cheap gas station e-cigs, then later moved to something that has a bigger battery so you could vape longer without having to recharge it. Once you move to a ego type or some other battery mod, you will probably find yourself wanting more eliquid in your electronic cigarette, so you do not have to top it off every few hours, or so.

That is when you may want to start looking at the larger tank systems. Now is the time you should check out the vivi-nova tank. If you do not like how large it is, there is also a vivi-nova mini. However, you will love the vivi nova if you give it a chance. I did, and love it. It holds about a days worth of smoke juice, and you can vape all day and not need to refill it. That is great.

The vivi-nova is also very easy to fill compared to a lot of the other tanks out there. It hardly ever leaks, and when it does, it is likely because the atomizer untwisted a bit when you took the lid off to fill it. Simply open it back up, tighten the atomizer and your set. I have only had that happen once or twice in the last 6 months. So it does not happen often. And this is about the only tank that I have ever used that does not flood and gurgle.

The do have a plastic tube for the main tank body, so using pure VG e-liquids, or spicy things like cinnamon are not recommended, because they will fog the tank and melt it over time. You don’t want that… but a 50/50 blend or even a 40 pg/60 vg, should be okay to use.

You can get them with just the clear plastic tube, or you can get a metal cover that goes over it, in many different colors. I have blue, and purple, but found that I prefer using it without it so I can see my juice level. Go figure… I spent an extra buck or two for that cover and they just sit on my desk. Your mileage may very with that though. I do see a lot of other people that do use the colored covers. If they had the gold in stock, I would have likely got that. There are a lot of colors to choose from.

As for the atomizer, it is super easy to change out. You get the 2.4 ohm one installed when you open the box, and have a 2.8 and a 1.8 ohm to use also. When it begins to clog, if you use darker liquids, or if it begins to have some leakage, it is likely time to change the atomizer out. I get a week or two out of mine easily. Many times I get 3 or 4 weeks. It really depends on how hot you vape (voltage) and if you use a thicker dark juice. The darker ones seem to leave a residue that builds up on the coil, and eventually blocks the air flow, and does not vape as well.

To change the coil, you just vape all the e liquid out, or suck it out with a syringe, then unscrew the the tank body, then unscrew the top of the atomizer from the post in the middle. Put a new one on, and tighten it good, then put your body back on, then fill with your favorite smoke juice, and put the top back on, and your back to vaping in just minutes. I usually buy 3 to 6 coils at a time. Some places give discounts for orders of 10 or more, but I have not done that yet – just saying, there are deals out there that help with costs, if you look for them.

A definite must have for your arsenal though. You will be glad you invested the $13 to 15 bucks. It is well worth it. It is a lot more economical than spending 3 bucks or so per clearomizer when they only last a few days to a week at most. The replacement coils for the vivi nova tank is less than $2 each.

Almost all vaping stores carry them so they are pretty easy to find too.

Today I am breaking down and writing another tobacco flavor review for Flavor West’s, stag leaf tobacco flavor. I mixed this batch at 2% flavor back on 5-5-13, and it is now 6-30, so it has had almost 2 months to steep. That is plenty of time for any flavor. Most of these have not needed that long at all. I have just been busy doing other things, and just finally getting back to this. Oh, also, there is no nicotine in this test batch at all. After so many bad flavors, I decided to stop using nicotine in it until I find a good flavor to put it in.

As I opened the bottle to get it ready, it almost has a bit of a cinnamon smell in it. Not really, but kinda like that, along with perhaps some berry incense or something along that line. Not too appealing before I ever got a puff of it, but at least it isn’t knocking me against the wall like some flavors will. It is really a hard to explain smell… not horrid, but not what I would call good. On to the taste testing..

Ok, I have vaped this for about 30 minutes now, and I am not really impressed. It is not as bad as it could be, but at just 2% flavor, it has a very odd taste for something that is supposed to be a tobacco flavor. I come up with a mild tingle, like when you eat a red hot, with a potpourri flavor mixed in. Kinda an earthy floral taste going on in this one. Not like the incense it smells like, but more of one of those bags of potpourri that you pick up at the store to put in those candle heated bowls.

One thing I can say for sure, is that it is not horrid tasting. It is on the interesting side, but it would definitely not be my daily vape, or an all day vape for me. There is something about it that peaks my interest, but there is enough oddity to it, to put me off a bit.

After vaping on this stag leaf tobacco for a while now, I tend to think that they were going to that flavor you get when you have your first cigarette in a long time… that kinda tingly spiciness, that soon goes away with just another cigarette or two. Maybe this is it for some other brand of cigs, but not for the ones I have smoked in the past. It also leaves a bit of a grassy after taste in your mouth. Almost like an eggnog spicy flavored grass. Yet the flavor it leaves on your lips is more of the flowery potpourri flavor. It is real hard to explain this one. I mean, everyone’s taste buds are going to be a bit different, and this is not my cup of tea, but it may hit the mark for you. Or, it may be a good addition to another flavor.

I keep trying to think of how this would work for me. I think if put with a chocolate, and custard, this would be good for making a boston cream tobacco flavor.. That is about all I can come up with as I vape this flavor.

It is clear to see what they were going for, with that first smoke in a long time kind of flavor, but that after taste just looses the battle for me. I will be saving this one though, and trying it some day with a good chocolate and custard to see if I am right about the boston cream tobacco mix. Or perhaps with an eggnog flavor it will work well. It kinda has an eggnog hint going on in there somewhere. Maybe that strange flavor I am coming up with is more along the lines of a ginger flavor.. That makes more sense to me than cinnamon and eggnog… Then you have a bit of that flowery maybe citrus type flavor on the exhale. It is an odd one for me.

It is not at the top of my list, but it is a keeper for trying other mixed flavors to see if I can get something good to come out of it. However, it is not at the bottom of my list of flavors I have tried either. Due to the distinct different flavor sensations I am getting from this stag leaf tobacco, by flavor west, I would say it has my curiosity peaked, as to what I can do with it, because it is clearly not a stand alone flavor for me.

I hope this review of my 2% mix of Flavor West’s, stag leaf tobacco is helpful to someone out there trying to find out what flavors will work for them. I can neither recommend or condemn this one. Good luck with your DIY mixes!

I don’t know. I do know what has been working for me, and I know what I want out of vaping. You will want something different, I am sure. It seems there are as many likes and dislikes as there are different kinds of electronic cigarettes.

Well, most e-cigarette models basically work in the same way. In a nutshell, a battery powers an atomizer which vaporizes an e-liquid solution that is inhaled by the user. The main differences are in overall quality, dependability, as well as special, extra features that may appeal to you depending on your personality and needs. Everyone likes something for different reasons. The best idea is to get to an electronic cigaret retail store, and try a few models for yourself.

Some features to think about when choosing the best electronic cigarette:

1. How it looks. The first thing you may consider is the overall look. Most manufacturers started out to make their e cigarettes to look like a real cigarette. The cartridge is brown to look like a filter, the battery is made to look like main body of a tobacco cigarette and the end will even glow red when you inhale to add to a more realistic smoking experience. These models are great for seeing if you enjoy vaping. Some people stay with them because they are small, but most will change to bigger batteries and longer lasting liquid carriers.

There are many different colors and designs to choose from, as well as a lot of different styles of e cigs. There are even e-cigars and pipes that look quite realistic, and offer great vapor production. You will notice the store owners generally walk around with a huge thing called a mod.. this is a huge battery that really makes vaping more enjoyable, but it is a lot more costly, and most new vapors will not want to start with something that big.

2. LED color choice. As mentioned above, the traditional look is a red LED on the tip that lights up when you take a drag. However, you can also choose a green or blue LED. What difference does it make? If your LED is red, you won’t get as much attention from other smokers because it looks so realistic. On the other hand, if the end lights up green or blue, then you will attract a lot more attention from curious smokers that see the end of your ecig. This could be good or bad depending on how you feel about talking to people when they ask you about them. Do you like to remain more anonymous, or do you enjoy talking, and answering a few questions from people you may not know?

3. Vapor production. How much vapor you’re able to get on one puff is a big deal for most smokers. Generally speaking, the more volume, equals a more satisfying and realistic vaping experience. Even if the same nicotine volume is present, a smaller vapor production will make a smoker feel like he/she, is not getting what they are looking for.

4. The Atomizer. The atomizer is what vaporizes the e-liquid, and contributes greatly to overall vapor volume. A dirty, or clogged atomizer will not perform well. The most common problem is a clogged atomizer. You may want one that is easy to clean, or even rebuildable. However, you may want to consider a two-piece model where the nicotine cartridge and atomizer are one unit. Every time you change your cartridge you also get a fresh atomizer. This is usually the choice for people that are just too busy, or do not want to spend the time to do the required maintenance.

5. Life of the battery. Are you are going to use your e-cigarette a lot throughout the day? If so, you want to make sure your battery has battery life that will last for a whole day like an ego 1100 amh, or even something larger. You may also want to consider a car charger or pass through device, if you’re on the road a lot and don’t want to drain your battery when away.

6. Oh, all the flavors. Where do you start – how do you choose what will work for you. Do you want the traditional flavor of tobacco, or menthol tobacco? Many companies also offer you the choice of experimenting with a ton of flavors like, vanilla, chocolate, coffee or fruit flavors. There are well over 100 flavors to choose from. Most people start with a tobacco flavor, then later start checking out other flavors. Most stores will have samples you can test on the spot, to see if you like it.

7. Nicotine levels. E-liquids come in several different nicotine strengths: High, medium, low and zero nicotine. Some stores will let you tell them your nic level to put in, if they make their own liquids. If you are trying to get away from nicotine, it is easy to get a lower amount when you are ready to go lower.

Now that you know what to look for, with a little bit of hands on research, you should be able to find the best electronic cigarette that fits your personality and needs. Don’t make the mistake of buying the cheapest electronic cigarette you find, or the first one you see… I have found that it’s worth it to spend a few extra dollars to get a device that gives you the most realistic smoking experience, without the mechanical problems found in many of the cheaper models. It is not always the case, but generally from what I found, it is the norm.

The Blu electronic cigarette is quickly becoming a favorite among some new “vaping” enthusiasts. It has some distinct design differences that give the user the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience, and without the hassles typically associated with traditional cigarettes. You are now seeing television commercials with them, as a great alternative to tobacco cigarettes.

Most companies are selling electronic cigarettes in a 3-piece design:

1. Battery
2. Atomizer
3. Nicotine cartridge

The Blu E-cig design consists of only 2 pieces:

1. Battery
2. Atomizer & cartridge combined, called a cartomizer.

Why does this make such a big difference?

With many of the 3-piece design electronic cigarettes, the atomizer gets used over and over. This can lead to a dirty, clogged atomizer that becomes much less efficient over time. A clean atomizer is essential for getting maximum vapor volume, and flavor satisfaction. The more quality vapor you get with each draw is very important for a satisfying and realistic “vaping” experience. The reusable atomizer found in 3-piece designs need to be replaced or cleaned frequently. This will cost you in time or money – a hidden cost not mentioned in most the sales materials. They are pretty easy to clean, but you will need some spares for when they are being cleaned.

The 2-piece design as found in the Blu e-cig, and other cartomizer models, eliminates the problems associated with the reusable atomizer. Because the atomizer is built into the nicotine cartridge, you get a fresh atomizer every time you change cartridges (one cartridge is about the equivalent of 20-30 tobacco cigarettes). This is why a lot of people choose the Blu e-cig. Great vapor, and full flavor.

It’s very common for many people to initially try a 3-piece design only to be disappointed. They are not taught how to actually use and take care of their e-cig device when they buy it. These are the same people that go on to say electronic smoking doesn’t work well. It’s worth it to spend a few extra dollars and get a 2 piece, or 3 piece design that you will actually be happy with. Buy a sampler kit if you are new, and find the one that is right for you.

Not all e-cigarettes are created equal. It’s important to educate yourself on the differences so you don’t end up going through a lot of unnecessary (and expensive) trial and error. The electronic cigarette is being redesigned constantly by the manufacturers to come up with better and better models. Blu electronic cigarettes offers a technologically advanced device that will give you the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience in the industry. The highest smoke volume, convenience of use, reliability, cleanliness and an extended battery life all add up to make Blu a wise electronic cigarette choice. They have no smell, no ash, and no tobacco smoke, but do have what you enjoy about sm0king a cigarette. They are a little on the pricy side for what you get, but with that, you get the simplicity of just buying them and vaping. No refilling or cleaning to worry about.

Another thing that makes Blu a great electronic cigarette to choose, is that the e-cig, and e-liquid are all made in the USA. That is a rare thing to find at this price level, or any other. Most are made in China, and well, I don’t know about you, but I would prefer my smoke juice to be made in the USA. It just makes me feel safer, knowing that everything in it, is following a high standard for my safety.

Your best bet, is to find an e-cig retailer in your area, and go in for a personal visit. They will be able to help you find the correct model for you. It is great to have that hands on information, and ability to sample different types before making the purchase. If there is not one in your area, you may consider looking at them from my site. I have links to blu, and other products, in my store pages for you.

If you are serious about vaping, you will want a more robust personal vaporizer, or electronic cigarette. But these blu e-cig models are great to get you started, and see if you enjoy it before spending too much money. It is the way most of us start into vaping, and then later move on to larger batteries, like the ego, or ego-twist, and on into mods for a much larger variable voltage vaping use. I will explain those in another post.

Now days, Electronic cigarettes are being marketed as a “safer alternative” to smoking tobacco cigarettes.

But just how safe are e-cigarettes?

Are there any health risks with an e-cig?

Let’s examine electronic cigarette vaping, and compare it to smoking a real, traditional tobacco cigarette, so you can make an intelligent, and informed decision, if this might be a wise smoking alternative for you, or a loved one.

The most harmful aspect of smoking cigarettes is the 4,000+, toxic chemicals that are inhaled when you burn a traditional tobacco cigarette. It’s the actual smoke causing lung cancer and respiratory disease, not the nicotine. With vaping electronic cigarettes, none of these 4,000+ toxic chemicals are produced because, there is no smoke, and there is nothing actually burning at all. With no smoke, it means no tar, no carbon monoxide, etc. The vapors produced have only a few ingredients, not all the additives that big tobacco put into their cigarettes to ad flavor or addiction… As a person with preparatory problems, I can feel a huge difference, now that I have been vaping with e cigs, instead of cigarettes. And I could feel this happen after about a week, and it keeps getting better.

But what about the nicotine?

E-cigarettes still deliver nicotine. Well, most of them do, but you can also keep vaping with no nicotine if you enjoy vaping, if you can ween yourself off the nicotine over time, like am in doing. Start at a comfortable level, and lower it every couple of times you buy more e liquid. Over time, if you choose, and try, you can cut your addiction to nicotine, if you have the will power and desire to do so.

How dangerous is that?

More independent studies on the effects of nicotine by itself need to be done. Right now the health risks are still inconclusive. Nevertheless, it’s obvious that a method of delivering nicotine that doesn’t involve real smoke is going to be much safer than burning tobacco. There are studies that prove that. And that is how the patch and gums are allowed.

The FDA recently reported that traces of carcinogens where found in a sample of electronic cigarette nicotine liquid.

However, these same carcinogens are also found in nicotine delivery alternatives like the patch and gum (which are both approved by the FDA). Also keep in mind that many every day foods like peanut butter contain trace levels of carcinogens. This is not to say that we should not be concerned about it. Just keep it in perspective. It’s important to remember that the dose of a particular carcinogen is an important factor in how toxic it actually is. If carcinogens are present in e-cigarette vapor, it doesn’t not appear to be in high doses. Right now there is no evidence that these carcinogens are are even translated into the actual electronic cigarette vapor that is inhaled. Oh, and that was just one of the samples they tested. That one was made in China, and they did not find it in any of the others tested, from China and the USA manufacturers. Just one cartridge…

Are electronic cigarettes totally safe?

Honestly,,, breathing our air is not totally 100% safe. More studies are needed on electronic cigarettes and vaping. So, until more studies are done it’s probably a good idea to err on the side of caution, and assume that they are not 100% safe. However, if you compare it to smoking a traditional tobacco cigarette, there really is no comparison.

One thing we know for sure is that tobacco smoking is incredibly dangerous, expensive, and inconvenient now days. The e-cigarette give smokers an alternative that appears to be much safer and will probably save countless lives. Given a choice between the two? I think it’s positively, a no brainer…